‘They’re about the important people in my life': A look back at David Beckham’s 40 tattoos and the special meaning behind each design

He just got the number ’99’ added to his extensive tattoo collection to mark one of the happiest years of his life.

And it is safe to say that David Beckham’s love of body art will see him squeeze many more inkings into his already intricately decorated physique.

Now as the 40-year-old sporting superstar has as many designs as years on the clock, MailOnline takes a look at how his love of body art has grown over the past few decades – and what each tattoo means to him…

SOME OF DAVID BECKHAM’S MOST FAMOUS TATTOOS

While he has over 40 inking in total, the most visible tattoos on David Beckham appear to be the ones that have the most meaning…  

1. 99 – The year he married wife Victoria

2. ‘Pray for me’

3. An angel and the words ‘Let them hate as long as they fear’

4. Winged cross

5. Pretty Lady – For his daughter, Harper

6. Harper – The name of his only daughter

7. Jesus being lifted by Cherubs

8. Star of David

9.Grandad – a tribute to grandfather Joe

10. Roses

11. Large angel and words ‘In the face of adversity’

12. Clouds

13. The man of sorrows – in tribute to his late grandfather Joe West

14. ‘Victoria’ – in Hindi

15. ‘I am my beloved and my beloved is mine’

16. Stars

17. Lead with love

Most recently, David got the number ’99’ tattooed on his little finger to mark the year he got married to wife Victoria.

Debuting it on Instagram, the retired footballer wrote, ’99 was a good year for me.’

 Source: DailyMail